[BrassEar]

Did a listening test with a total of four audiophiles using the stock SB3 and latest iPod. We blind tested several different songs in Apple Lossless and then AAC w/VBR at 256K.  The room and system were very decent (Parasound electronics, Magnepan speakers, Hsu sub).

No one could reliably tell the difference on mostly SOTA recordings. Hmmmmmmm.

[Charles Calkins]

Not the least bit surprised.

                            Cheers
                           Charlie

[ted_b]

I run AAC 256 VBR on my iPod most of the time (except for my gems) cuz I can't tell the difference under normal non-critical (flying, hotel, etc.) listening.  I think the main difference is over a period of a couple hours or so...listener fatigue is much higher, at least with me, on good AAC stuff.   But to me, you have the perfect lossy compression/quality ratio at 256 vbr and AAC over even the better LAME settings.   Acoustic jazz (piano) shines the most critical light, IMO.

[kyrill]

it is very possible your stock SB and Ipod miss the transparency etc. to let you discern any difference

[ted_b]

it is very possible your stock SB and Ipod miss the transparency etc. to let you discern any difference

That's a point, at least on the iPod.  It wasn't until my iPod became an iMod that the 256AAC became quite discernible at critical listening....but again, it's pretty damn good at most other times.  My SB3 and Transporter are both modded so it's a no-brainer there, but I would think a stock SB3 should clearly show the differences too....at a few hours of listening.  A/B'ing short song selections, good luck.